Geranium plant named ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’

ABSTRACT

‘Maiden Deep Lavender’ is a new variety of Regal  Geranium  having compact growth and variegated lavender colored flowers with a distinctive eye.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium×domesticum.

Varietal denomination: ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×domesticum known by the varietal name ‘Maiden DeepLavender’. The new variety was discovered in Lompoc, Calif. The newvariety is a result of cross-breeding the unpatented ‘Austria’ variety,(female parent) and ‘Barroness’ (male parent) (U.S. Plant Pat. No.8,908). The purpose of the breeding program was to introduce a highquality compact regal geranium. The new variety exhibits similar flowersize and the early flowering of both parents with different flower colorthan either parent. ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’ is similar to ‘Maiden Lilac’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,420) but exhibits heavier blotching on petalsand a more controlled compact habit. The new variety was first asexuallyreproduced by cuttings in Connellsville, Pa. The new variety has beentrial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.

The new variety was grown in a glass greenhouse in a 4 inch pot inConnellsville, Pa. using full light, 60° F. night temperature and 68° F.day temperature and grown in a soilless media with constant fertilizerat 150-200 ppm nitrogen and potassium. The new variety has a responsetime of twelve weeks from a rooted cutting to flowering in a 6 inchcontainer.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’. Characteristicsthat distinguish ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’ as a new and distinct cultivarfrom others known to the breeder include:

-   -   1) Very early flowering; and    -   2) Very free flowering.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out in Connellsville, Pa. Thecolor readings were taken indoors under 65 to 85 footcandles of coolWhite fluorescent light. The new variety was fifteen weeks from a rootedcutting when described. Color references are primarily to the 1966R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Market class: Regal.-   Rooting time: Visible roots can be seen on the outside of a plug in    25 days under optimal conditions.-   Form: Medium mound habit.-   Height from media surface to top of foliage: 19 cm in a 6 inch pot.-   Strength (need for artificial support): No artificial support is    needed.-   Branching habit: Free basal branching.-   Plant spread: 17-20 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   Color.—144A.        -   Internode length.—1.5 to 3 cm.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth with fine hairs present.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Stipules.—Number: Two at each node. Length: 1.0 cm. Width:            0.8 cm. Color: 144A.        -   Zone.—None present.        -   Size of leaf.—Length: 5.0 to 6.5 cm at longest point. Width:            5.5 to 7.5 cm at widest point.        -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Reniform with a truncate base and            a reniform apex.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Margin type.—Serrated; lobed.        -   Pubescence.—Slight.        -   Color.—Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface: 144A.        -   Petiole.—Length: 3 to 4.5 cm. Color: 144A.        -   Veins.—Venation type: Palmate. Color: 145A.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Bud: Stage of development when bud characteristics determined: Just    prior to sepals parting at the tips.    -   -   Shape of cluster.—Elliptical.        -   Diameter of cluster.—3.8 to 4.2 cm across; 2.0 to 2.3 cm            deep.        -   Number of buds per cluster.—5 to 8.        -   Shape of individual bud.—Elliptical or oval.        -   Length of individual bud.—1.2 to 1.3 cm.        -   Width of individual bud.—0.7 cm.        -   Sepals.—Number: Six. Length: 1.3 to 1.4 cm. Width: 0.6 cm.            Shape: Lanceolate. Color: 144A.-   Blooming habit: Continuous, free to flowering, large flowers forming    full color heads, early flowering.-   Umbel diameter: 7.5 to 9.5 cm.-   Borne: Umbel, flowers on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle.-   Inflorescence position: 4 to 6 cm above foliage.-   Number of inflorescences per lateral branch: 1 to 3.-   Florets:    -   -   Average number per umbel.—5 to 8.        -   Form.—Cupped at base. As the flowers mature, the florets            gradually become more open/flat.        -   Diameter.—5.5 to 6.5 cm.        -   Depth.—1.5 to 2 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Color.—All petals have a dark eye. The eye is more            pronounced and much larger on upper three petals than on            lower petals.        -   Upper surface.—The outer edge color is 78A moving to 74A at            outer edge of the dark eye. The eye is colored 187B. Near            the lower quarter of the petal, the eye ends and the color            sharply changes to 155C, with pronounced veining of 187A,            72A and 71A. Lower petals are same color as upper, but with            a smaller eye.        -   Lower surface.—The outer edge color is 78A moving to 74A at            outer edge of the eye. Eye color is 187C. At the lower            quarter of the petal, the eye ends and the petal color            becomes 155C, with dark veining of 187B and 71A.        -   Shape.—Inverted teardrop.        -   Length.—3.5 to 4 cm.        -   Width.—2.5 to 4 cm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Number per floret.—5 to 6.        -   Texture.—Velvety, smooth, highly reflective.-   Petaloids: None.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—2.3 to 2.6 cm.        -   Color.—144B.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth with fine hairs present.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—5 to 6 cm.        -   Color.—144A.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth with fine hairs present.-   Fragrance: None noted.-   Disease/pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to disease or    pests has been noted to date.-   Lastingness: Individual umbels last 14 to 21 days.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number (per flower).—5 to 7.        -   Filament.—Length: 13 to 15 mm. Color: 155D.        -   Anthers.—Length: 2 to 3 mm. Color: 77A.        -   Pollen color.—28A.-   Pistils:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—16 to 18 mm.        -   Style.—Length: 10 to 12 mm. Color: 71C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Style splits and radiates into 5 parts.            Color: 71A.        -   Ovaries.—Completeness: Superior. Pubescence: Present.            Length: 6 to 8 mm. Width: 3 mm. Color: 138C.

1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant named ‘Maiden DeepLavender’ as is herein described and illustrated.